Kids Run
We invite your family to experience the Mercy Children's Center Kids Run on Sunday, October 19, 2008.
Register Online NOW!
Kids Run Overview
The Mercy Children's Center Kids Run is noncompetitive fun run that features a 1/4 mile run/walk/crawl from the Science Center of Iowa (along 4th Street) to a finish line festival on Walnut Street at Nollen Plaza.
Local mascots, cheerleaders and spectators will be on hand to add to the carnival style festive atmosphere.
Age Appropriate Running
The Mercy Children's Center Kids Run is designed for children between the ages of seven and twelve years old, or third through sixth grade.
Slightly older children may be ready to enter in the Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race as a run/walk participant with a parent or adult guardian. Children between the ages of twelve and fourteen may even consider training for the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon.
The Road Runners Club of America does not recommend for a child younger than the age of fourteen to attempt completing a long distance running event such as the IMT Des Moines Marathon. Their bodies are not developed enough physically to meet the demands of this level of strenuous activity and endurance. Examples may include leg muscle development and electrolyte replacement.
The Children's Page - How Far is Too Far? - Compiled by Kim Ottaviani
Children & Marathoning - How Much is Too Much? - International Marathon Medical Directors Association
Youth Runner.com - The Magazine
Registration
Online Registration
active.com online registration
Online registration closes Thursday, October 16
Verify your Mercy Children's Center Kids Run registration.
Mail In Registration
You may click on either the race entry or race brochure link to print an entry form.
IMT Des Moines Marathon Race Entry IMT Des Moines Marathon Race Brochure
Mail In race entries should be postmarked no later than Saturday, October 11.
Mail the completed form to:
IMT Des Moines Marathon
4801 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312
Contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon if you would like to have a race brochure mailed to you.
Register In Person
You may register your little one(s) for the Mercy Children's Center Kids Run on Friday or Saturday, October 17 and 18 at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo located at the Polk County Convention Complex.
Polk County Convention Complex
501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309.
You may also register the day of the Mercy Children's Center Kids Run at the IMT Des Moines Marathon Information Booth located at the corner of 4th and Walnut Street at Nollen Plaza.
Entry Fee
Mercy Children's Center Kids Run
$5 – Kids Run
January 15 to October 18
Race Photos
MarathonFoto will also be on hand to take post race photos at Nollen Plaza. You can click here to be notified when your photos are available online following the IMT Des Moines Marathon.
Kids Run Partner
Iowa Kidstrong
The focus of Iowa Kidstrong is on elementary school initiatives designed to promote healthy lifestyles for kids and establish a foundation for lifelong health habits at an early and impressionable age.
The feature program, KidStriders, is an incentive program which revolves around running and walking. The program encourages goal setting and lifestyle management skills, including a journalizing process that focuses not only on mileage, but also on the association of thoughts and feelings to activity and nutrition choices – all things encompassed by overall wellness.
